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The effect of loan approval decentralization on microfinance institutions' outreach and loan portfolio quality

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  • Tchakoute-Tchuigoua, Hubert
  • Soumaré, Issouf

Abstract

We study the impact of loan approval decentralization on MFI portfolio quality and outreach, and the effects of alignment mechanisms when loan officers combine information production and decision functions. Using an independently pooled cross-section of 374 MFI-year observations for 280 MFIs in 70 countries, we find that effective incentive schemes and internal control systems help mitigate agency problems within MFIs, and thus increase the outreach of MFIs without altering the quality of their loan portfolio. Our results are robust after controlling for alternative portfolio risk and outreach measures, outreach threshold effect, crisis period, selection bias and endogeneity.

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  • Tchakoute-Tchuigoua, Hubert & Soumaré, Issouf, 2019. "The effect of loan approval decentralization on microfinance institutions' outreach and loan portfolio quality," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 1-17.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:94:y:2019:i:c:p:1-17
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.09.021
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    Cited by:

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    4. Khawla Chedad & Ayoub Boukir & Sanae Chaabi & Samir Aguenaou & Jawad Abrache, 2022. "Financial Performance and Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions in Morocco: A Structural Equation Model," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 12(1), pages 51-57.
    5. Farah NAZ & Sarah SALIM & Ramiz ur REHMAN & Muhammad Ishfaq AHMAD & Rizwan ALI, 2019. "Determinants of financial sustainability of microfinance institutions in Pakistan," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 10(4), pages 51-64, September.
    6. Magloire Nya Tchatchoua & Isabelle Pignatel & Hubert Tchakoute Tchuigoua, 2019. "What type of microfinance institutions comply with International Financial Reporting Standards?," Working Papers CEB 19-012, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    7. Carlisle, Joanna & Bhanugopan, Ramudu & D'Netto, Brian, 2019. "Enhancing task performance through effective training: The mediating role of work environment and moderating effect of non-mandatory training," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 340-349.
    8. Stephen Kosgei BITOK & Josephat CHEBOI & Ambrose KEMBOI, 2019. "Does Portfolio Quality Influence Financial Sustainability? A Case of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya," Journal of Economics and Financial Analysis, Tripal Publishing House, vol. 3(2), pages 23-39.
    9. Tchakoute Tchuigoua, Hubert & Soumaré, Issouf & Hessou, Hélyoth T.S., 2020. "Lending and business cycle: Evidence from microfinance institutions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 1-12.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Loan approval; Decentralization; Loan portfolio quality; Loan portfolio risk; Microfinance; Outreach;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G39 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Other

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